Yenathinathar was a Bhakti saint, one of the 63 Nayanars devoted to Hindu God Shiva.
Yenathinathar was born into a Channar family in the village
of Eyinanur, located on the banks of the river Arisil, southeast of Kumbakonam
in the Chola kingdom, present-day Tamil Nadu. From an early age, Yenathinathar
demonstrated exceptional talent as a swordsman. His prowess and skill did not
go unnoticed, leading him to become a prominent general in the Chola military.
In addition to his military achievements, Yenathinathar took on the esteemed
role of tutor to the Chola princes, instructing them in the art of
swordsmanship.
A devout Shaiva, Yenathinathar was a fervent worshipper of
Lord Shiva. His devotion to Shiva was reflected not only in his personal piety
but also in his generous nature. Yenathinathar utilized his considerable wealth
to serve and support fellow devotees of Shiva, thereby gaining immense respect
and admiration from the community.
Rivalry with Atisuran
Atisuran, another well-known fighter and tutor, grew
increasingly envious of Yenathinathar's growing popularity and acclaim. Though
Atisuran often boasted of his military skills, they were significantly inferior
to those of Yenathinathar. Seeking to undermine Yenathinathar and prove his own
superiority, Atisuran challenged him to a contest. The terms were clear: the
winner would retain control over their training school.
Yenathinathar, confident in his abilities, accepted the
challenge. He faced Atisuran, bringing along his relatives and best students.
Under Yenathinathar's inspiring leadership, his side triumphed, decisively
defeating Atisuran's forces and slaying many of his comrades. Atisuran,
however, managed to escape, thus avoiding death. The Periya Puranam, an ancient
Tamil scripture, repeatedly likens Yenathinathar to a lion and Atisuran to a
cunning fox, underscoring their stark contrasts in courage and integrity.
The Devious Stratagem
Having failed to defeat Yenathinathar through honorable
means, Atisuran resorted to deceit. He plotted a scheme to eliminate his rival
once and for all. Early one morning, Atisuran invited Yenathinathar to a
secluded spot for a duel. Trusting his adversary, Yenathinathar agreed and
arrived at the designated location armed with his sword and shield.
Unbeknownst to Yenathinathar, Atisuran had a trick up his
sleeve. As he approached, he wore the Tripundra—three horizontal lines of
sacred ash—on his forehead, a symbol of Shaivism. However, he cunningly
concealed this mark with his shield.
When Yenathinathar, the lion-hearted warrior, prepared to
strike the fox-like Atisuran, the latter revealed his Tripundra. Stunned and
believing Atisuran to have converted to Shaivism, Yenathinathar hesitated. As a
devout Shaiva, he could not bring himself to kill a fellow devotee of Shiva. In
a gesture of ultimate self-sacrifice, Yenathinathar decided to lay down his
life rather than commit what he perceived as a grievous sin.
However, Yenathinathar did not drop his weapons, as he did
not want Atisuran to bear the sin of killing an unarmed man. Instead, he stood
still, poised in a combative stance, awaiting the fatal blow from his deceitful
opponent. As Yenathinathar fell to the ground, Lord Shiva, moved by his extreme
devotion and selflessness, manifested before him. In recognition of his
unwavering faith, Shiva took Yenathinathar to Kailash, his divine abode.
Legacy and Moral
The tale of Yenathinathar and Atisuran underscores the profound significance of external Shaiva symbols, such as the Tripundra and rudraksha beads. Yenathinathar's story is a powerful testament to the virtues of loyalty, honor, and self-sacrifice, illustrating the extraordinary lengths to which a true devotee will go to uphold their religious principles.